Rudolf's Perspective
"..."
Scritch. Scritch.
It has been several days since my brother left the Academy with Rice Shower. Little by little, I am beginning to understand exactly what C.B. was lamenting. A sense of... hollowed-out emptiness. I suppose it is only natural to feel a certain loneliness when one cannot see him, but it has begun to bleed into my daily life. Even my training feels lacking; having grown used to the intensity of our joint sessions, my solo work feels hollow.
Brother... it might be a foolish question to ask, but I find myself wondering: when exactly do you plan to return to us?
"Haaah... perhaps a bit of fresh air will help."
— Outdoors —
"It's a bit chilly, but the temperature is perfect for clearing one's head."
Standing out here, I can almost see the ghosts of his training sessions on the turf. I wonder how the Board's deliberations regarding his team expansion are progressing? I hope things are moving in a positive direction, but I know better than to expect a swift conclusion.
"Huh? Kaicho! Hey, hey! What are you doing out here all by yourself!?"
"Teio... no, it's nothing. I was just thinking about my brother. I'm quite eager for his return."
"Whaaat!? Even Kaicho is saying that now!?" Teio cried, throwing her hands up. "All my classmates are saying the same thing! I don't get it at all!"
"You are under Trainer Okino's care, Teio, so you don't interact with my brother much. But for those of us who have yet to find a definitive path, or those who simply recognize his worth, he has become an irreplaceable presence. It's only natural we feel this way."
"Hmph... so if I didn't have a trainer, would I understand how you feel, Kaicho?"
"I believe so. At the very least, you aren't the type of girl who could ignore a man of his caliber."
"Maybe I should've waited for Trainer Hikigaya before picking a team..." Teio mused.
"No, Teio. That is incorrect," I said firmly. "Your path is yours to decide. If you were to call joining Team Spica a mistake, you would be denying your own choices. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
"O-of course not!"
"Then never be negative about the path you've chosen. Focus on becoming stronger under Trainer Okino."
"Yeah! You're right, Kaicho! I get it!"
Goodness, is Teio always this easy to win over?
"Hah. The 'Emperor' is still playing favorites, I see. I heard you wag your tail whenever you like someone, and I guess the rumors were true."
I narrowed my eyes. "Sirius..."
"The Emperor lives a charmed life," Sirius Symboli drawled, leaning against a nearby tree. "But I'll admit, I get why people want to be on that trainer's roster. If I were under him, I could finally throw some scraps to the kids at the bottom of the ladder."
"Oh? That's uncharacteristically kind of you," I noted. "Have you had a change of heart?"
"Don't get it twisted. I'm just tired of seeing people who don't care about their charges being the ones in charge of them. I'd rather take them off their hands."
"...Are you referring to the current trainers and instructors?"
"Who else? Don't tell me the Great Emperor is blind to what's happening to the kids in my circle. They didn't end up where they are because they wanted to be there..."
Teio looked back and forth between us, her eyes wide. (W-what do I do? I'm standing right here but I have no idea what they're talking about!)
"So, you intend to become my brother's trainee?" I asked. "That sounds as though you're offering yourself as a shield for him."
"What of it? It's a win-win. I get a competent trainer, and he gets me. Besides, that trainer of yours already gives tips to the unassigned kids, doesn't he? Your 'Right Hand' does the same. If they can do it, no one has the right to complain if I do too."
I found myself momentarily speechless. She wasn't wrong.
"...What is this conversation about?"
Teio jumped. "Eek!? K-Kris S!?"
"Yo, Kris S," Sirius greeted. "Nothing major. Just talking about wanting to sign up with the 'Rumored Trainer.'"
"The rumors..." Symboli Kris S nodded stoically. "You mean Big Bro. I, too, wish to receive training under him."
I felt a slight headache forming. "What... you as well?"
"Yes... because when I watch Rice Shower's training..."
She trailed off, her expression unreadable.
"...Well? Don't leave us hanging," Sirius pressed.
(Symboli Kris S's internal thoughts: ...I want Big Bro to pat my head. Rice Shower always looks so happy when he does it.)
"Hmph..." An intimidating, dark aura began to radiate from Kris S as she thought about the headpats.
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND ANY OF THIS!" Teio wailed.
"What is with this girl..." Sirius muttered.
"You won't tell us, then?" I sighed.
Kris S ignored the question, turning to the two of us. "More importantly. Sirius. Rudolf. Fighting is... bad."
"We weren't fighting," Sirius grumbled. "Just making small talk. Anyway, the mood's dead now. I'm out of here."
"...See you."
Sirius walked off, leaving the three of us behind. Kris S turned her intense gaze toward the youngest among us.
"...Tokai Teio. How is your condition for the Arima Kinen?"
"Eh? Oh... um, yeah! I'm doing great. I really want to take first place, after all."
"I see..." Kris S nodded. "I am... expecting great things."
With that brief bit of encouragement, Kris S also departed.
"The upcoming Arima Kinen... I'm expecting great things as well, Teio," I said, feeling a bit refreshed. "This was a good distraction. I should probably get back to the Student Council office."
I have more work to do... and I certainly can't afford to let my brother's contract go to someone else. The number of rivals I have to watch out for is growing by the day, but I suppose that just makes the victory all the sweeter.
"..."
Teio stood alone on the path, staring into the distance.
"I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND ANY OF THIS!"
Horse Girl Introduction Corner!
Today's focus is on Symboli Kris S!
Her major G1 victories include the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the Arima Kinen, alongside wins in the Aoba Sho and Kobe Shimbun Hai.
Originally from America, she was purchased by a Japanese owner. While she performed well in the Triple Crown trials, she narrowly missed out in the Derby, coming in 2nd behind Tanino Gimlet. Her team decided to skip the Kikuka-sho in favor of the Tenno Sho, where she became only the second 3-year-old in history to win the race! She followed that up by winning the Arima Kinen in the same year.
As a 4-year-old, she repeated these victories, becoming the first horse in history to win both the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the Arima Kinen in consecutive years. But her most legendary performance was her retirement race—the Arima Kinen. She won by a staggering 9 lengths, tying the record for the largest winning margin in G1 history!
In that final year, she set course records for both the Tenno Sho and the Arima Kinen. One can only imagine what she might have achieved if she had stayed in the sport another year, but in the world of racing, "what ifs" are best left to the imagination.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 30 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"